Commending the hard work of the City of Grant
Dear Editor,
A competent and hardworking city staff and council have successfully steered the achievements of the City of Grant.
The following is a list of facts:
• Completed the AWOS (Automatic Weather Observation System) at the airport. AWOS provides pilots with real-time, accurate weather information.
• The City of Grant has a permanent FBO (fixed-based operator) at the Grant Municipal Airport. A permanent FBO at the Grant Municipal Airport ensures that the long-term success of the airport is guaranteed.
• The City of Grant applied for and received a Civic and Community Center Finance Fund (CCCFF) Grant from Nebraska Department of Economic Development (NDED). The grant contributed $562,000.00 to the Grant Swimming Pool.
• The City of Grant cemented a project for a new swimming pool facility. This project added jobs and has brought visitors to the City of Grant. Additionally, the new pool will provide a safe and fun environment for the youth in the region.
• Provided a gift card match program to struggling local businesses during the Covid-19 pandemic. This amazing program was offered by the mayor and council to help keep our local businesses from closing.
• The mayor and council recognized that through the extremes of the pandemic, families were affected financially and took the necessary measures to alleviate financial pain by waving all fees associated with the swimming pool and Recreation Activities.
• Provided matching funds to Southwest Nebraska Community Betterment Corporation to apply for and receive down payment assistance grant funds. This allowed SWNCBC to advertise the availability of funds to residents of Grant for down payment assistance funds for the purchase of a home. So far, 20 homeowners have been assisted through this program, with roughly $300,000.00 provided in assistance.
• Provided matching funds to Southwest Nebraska Community Betterment Corporation to apply for and receive owner occupied rehabilitation grant funds. This allowed SWNCBC to advertise the availability of funds to Grant residents for qualified rehabilitation projects, such as doors, windows, roof, HVAC, etc. The total number of homes that were approved and improved was 13, with a value of improvement of $325,000.00 across the whole project.
• GIS digital mapping service for the City’s Infrastructure with gWorks. Amazing foresight from the mayor and council on moving forward with digitizing our elaborate network of sewer mains, water mains, signs, easements, electrical, streets, etc.
• Each year, the City Council reviews the conditions of our streets. We have replaced some of the aging asphalt with concrete, and we armor coated asphalt streets. We have completed the concrete improvement of three hazardous intersections. It has been a precedent of the mayor and council to continue to work on improving the infrastructure of the City of Grant.
• Keno funds were provided to the Perkins County Youth Arts Program and an Eagle Scout Project. The funds requested by the Perkins County Youth Arts Program were provided so that they could bring the Missoula Children’s Art Theater to Grant. The funds requested for an Eagle Scout project were granted to Ian Sihm to replace the hardware on all the flag poles at the Grant Fairview Cemetery.
• Refinanced the current water loan to add the 17-block water main improvement project, receiving over $600,000 in loan forgiveness and capitalizing on a 0% interest rate. Through the efforts of our mayor, council, and engineers, we were able to refinance the current water loan and add the 17-block water main update project while getting over $600,000 in loan forgiveness and capitalizing on 0% interest.
• The City of Grant received a generous donation to improve the aesthetics at the city park from Marvin Stumpf through the installation of musical playground equipment. Through the additional efforts of a city council member, we accepted the donation of a new musical playground for the Grant city park.
• Completed the construction of a new picnic shelter in the Grant city park. This was an amazing effort by the mayor, council, and Grant Lions Club to provide a necessary reprieve from the weather at the Grant city park.
• Provided Keno funds to the Perkins County Historical Society. A terrific example of the use of the Keno funds for the necessary repairs inside the accessory building at the Perkins County Museum.
• The city completed a 17-block water main improvement project. A monumental step in the replacement of the aging 1930s/1940s water main from 4” to 10” on the west side of town.
• We have completed the downtown revitalization project. This was one of the most sought-after projects by the citizens was the revitalization of the downtown area of Grant. This included new decorative poles, burying the overhead wires, new curb & gutter, new sidewalk to the buildings, new park benches, new trash receptacles, and new planters to provide some much-needed greenery downtown
• The City purchased and installed new Christmas lights for the downtown poles. Many people may not realize the benefit of new Christmas lights, but by acting on this aging component, we were able to shine a light on an otherwise dull project.
• Sewer lift station rehabilitation. Again, showing that the mayor and council are focused on being proactive rather than reactive by prioritizing the upkeep of vital infrastructure.
• Approved the purchase of a sewer jet/vacuum combo truck, which is very important to take care of our sewer!
• Through careful collaboration with the planning commission, the City was able to complete the rezoning of three parcels of land to ensure that they are viable properties now and in the future.
• City of Grant adopted emerald ash borer readiness and response plan. This was in conjunction with the huge efforts of the Tree Board. Another monumental effort of one of the many exceptional boards/committees that are a part of the City of Grant. This plan will lay out the framework for readiness and response to the growing scourge of the emerald ash borer infestation creeping its way closer to Grant.
• The parking spaces at the Hastings Memorial Library have been upgraded and now it has a dedicated handicap parking spot.
• A new parking lot downtown by the senior center provides a safe parking area for the Post Office, senior center, and for our local volunteer fire department and EMS.
• Annexed the Fredrick property north of the hospital for future development. Through the foresight of the planning commission, the Grant Community Redevelopment Authority, hospital administrative staff, and city council, we successfully annexed the Fredrick property north of the Hospital. This property set up the necessary framework for the Western Sky Community Care Center.
If residents are concerned about the operations of the City of Grant, perhaps they should consider more involvement, for example, May 3rd was the Grant City Park Clean up. Some members of the City Council, the Tree Board, City Staff, and one community member, Deeann Tatum, showed up to help in the efforts. May 17th was the Annual Cemetery Cleanup. Some members of the City Council, the Cemetery Board, City Staff, and unfortunately no community members showed up.
The City of Grant has many boards and committees with vacant seats. The Planning Commission, the Tree Advisory Board, the Library Board, and the Board of Adjustments all have vacancies. Please call the City Office if you are interested in serving.
Community member involvement in our local government is essential for addressing concerns. The City of Grant values teamwork, collaboration, hard work, and a passion for serving the people of Grant. This is what our city is about. We will not have our work to improve the community halted by unfounded claims.
When you attend the City of Grant’s meetings, you will see integrity and transparency in action. The agenda of the City of Grant’s Council is that we want our community to grow and prosper. While concerns are noted, there is no alternate agenda other than serving our community.
Respectfully,
Lisa Schmitt,
Mayor for the City of Grant